Folding umbrella.



' PATENTED FEB. 11; 1908. e. M. PETERS... FOLDING UMBRELLA.

APPLICATION FIIIJED APR- 4.1907. r 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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G. M. PETERS. FOLDING UMBRELLA. APPLICATION FILED APR. 4.1907.

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GEORGE M. PETERS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

FOLDING UMBRELLA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1908.

Application filed April}. 1907. Serial No. 3661384.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. PETERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis City and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Folding Umbrella, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to umbrellas, and has for its principal object to provide an improved umbrella which may becollapsed or folded into small compass for convenience in carrying the entire umbrella, being foldable so that it may be readily carried in the pocket.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved umbrella frame in which the stick, the ribs and the stretchers are all formed of telescopically connected members so arranged as to permit simultaneous collapse or extension.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an umbrella frame having a stick formed of telescopic sections that are provided with interlocking means so arranged as to hold the stick perfectly rigid when extended and prevent accidental collapse.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for supporting the runner and further to employ means on the runner for permitting simultaneous collapse of all of the stretchers.

With these and other objects in view, as will more fully hereinafter appear, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size and minor details of the structure .may be made without departing from, the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a portion of an umbrella frame illustrating the invention, the frame being extended. Fig. 2 is a similar view on a somewhat larger scale, showing the frame collapsed. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the stick. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of one of the sections of the stick detached. Fig. 5 is an elevation of one end of the stick showing the holding spring for retaining the sections in locked extended position. Fig. '6 is a detail sectional view of the same on an enlarged scale, the view being on the plane sectional elevation of one of the ribs. Figs. 9,

10, 11, 12, 18 and 14 are transverse sectional views through the rib on the planes bearing corresponding reference numerals in Fig. 8. Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation of one of the stretchers. Fig. 16 is a transverse section on the line l616 of Fig. 2, showing the movable sleeve by which all of the stretchers are simultaneously released. Fig. 17 is a detail elevation of the movable sleeve. Fig. 18 is a sectional elevation of one end of the runner drawn to an enlarged scale. Fig. 19 is a transverse sectional view of the same on a somewhat smaller scale on the line 19-19 of Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 18 illustrating a slight modification. Fig. 21 is a detail elevation of a portion of the runner and the locking sleeve.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In carryin out the present invention, the umbrella stic is formed of any desired number of sections, six of which, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, are illustrated in the present instance,

the section 20 being in the form of a solid rod and constituting the tip, while the remaining sections are tubular in form, the section 25 having an enlarged hollow knob or handle 26.

To the outer end of the section 21 is rigidly secured a notch 27 to which the inner ends of the ribs are pivoted, and on the several sections is mounted a runner 28 which is connected to the inner ends of each of the stretchers, and by which the umbrella is raised and lowered in the ordinary manner. Inasmuch as the several sections gradually decrease in diameter from the handle toward the tip, the internal diameter of the runner must be as lar e at least as that of the largest section of the andle, and in order to prevent loose play of the runner while moving over the sections of smaller diameter, said runner is provided with a number of inwardly projecting springs 30 which engage against the sections of the stick and prevent loose movement. As a modification of this construction, the springs may be provided with small rollers 31, as indicated in Fig. 20, the rollers Fig. 7

entering small recesses 32 in the inner walls of the runner, when the latter is moved to a position over the handle section 25.

The several sections of the handle are provided with interlocking parts, whereby they may be firmly held in extended position, and provision is also made for preventing premature movement of any of the larger sections over the smaller sections, such, for instance, as the collapse of the section 25 over the section 22, or section 21, which would disconnect and disarrange the parts.

Each of the tubular sections is provided with an internal groove 34 extending from the handle end thereof to a point near the tip end, and toward the tip end the groove is contracted, as indicated at 35 in Fig. 4, and thence is extended transversely or circumferentially, as indicated at 36, and finally terminates in an inturned locking recess 37. Between the larger and smaller portions of the groove are shoulders 38 that are engaged by a slidable block 39 that fits freely within the groove 34, and may slide therein for practically the entire length of the groove, this movement in one direction being stopped by the shoulders 38, and in the opposite direction by a pin 40 that is passed through an opening in the bottom wall of the groove and extends inward from the bottom of the groove and outward from the periphery of the tubular section for a purpose hereinafter described.

On the handled end of each of the sections is secured one end of a helical tension spring 42 that is formed of wire of a gage approximately e ual to that of the metal of which the tubu ar sections are formed. On the opposite end of this spring is secured the previously mentioned block 39, and when the sections are extended, the block 39 of each section will slide within the groove 34 of the next adjacent section, until said block engages against the stop shoulder 38, while at this time the outer end of the pin 40 will have entered the contracted portion 35 of the groove. The sections are then pulled outward against the stress of the spring 42, until the pin 40 has arrived opposite the transverse portion 36 of the slot, and then one section is turned with respect to the other, so that the pin will move through the portion 36 of the slot, and thus exert torsional strain on the spring in addition to the retractile strain to which it has also been subjected. After the pin has traversed the portion 36 of the slot or groove, the sections are released and the pin is then pulled down under the retractile force of the spring until said pin is entered in the locking recess 37, and when in this position the sections will resist any endwise strain tending to collapse them, and it is not until the sections are again twisted or turned to release the pin from the recess and so manipulate it that the pin reenters the slot 35 that the sections can be collapsed. This construction is followed throughout the sections, with the exception of the tip section 20, which, being in the form of a solid rod, needs no interlocking groove.

That portion of the pin 40 whichprojects inward beyond the bottom wall of the groove 34 serves as a stop for the inward movement of the block 39, and thus will insure the collapse of the sections in successive order from the top to the handle, so that it will be impossible for one of the larger handle sections to slide down over one or more of the smaller tip sections and become disconnected.

The ribs are each formed of a number of telescopic sections, there being four of such sections 45, 46, 47 and 48 in the present instance, the section 48 being provided with a metallic socket member 49 that is pivoted to the notch.

Practically all of the sections are approximately of the paragon form, having an open slot at one side, while the end of the outermost section 45 has a solid tip 50 which may, if necessary, be provided with suitable means for the attachment of the umbrella cover. At the outer end of the section 46 is a tapered socket 51 that is arranged to receive the split end 52 of the approximately tubular end section 45, and in this tubular section 45 is mounted a rod 53 having a finger piece in the form of a lug 54 that projects outward in convenient position for manual manipulation. This lug is engaged in one end of a spring 55 that is coiled around the section 45, the opposite end of the spring being secured to said section, and the spring tending to force the rod 53 in the direction of the tip member 50. The inner end of the rod 53 is approximately frusto-conical in form, so that it will form a spreading wedge for the tongues 52 of the split end of section 45, and will move said tongues outward into engagement with the wall of the tapered socket 51, and thus form a more or less rigid lock for confining the section 45 in place, and it is not until the rod 53 which may be termed the cam carrying rod, is forced inward against the stress of the spring 55 that the tongues will collapse and the section 45 may be telescoped within the section 46. The extreme inner end of the cam rod is provided with a tapering cam face 57 that is arranged to engage with the tapered end of a locking spring 58 that is carried by the section 46. The lock spring 58 is provided with a latch lock end that projects through a slot 60 formed in section 46, and is arranged to engage against the end wall thereof, and also against a strengthening collar 61 that is rigidly secured to the section 47, the collar serving also as a means for limiting extensile movement. As a result of inward movement of the cam rod 53, therefore, the tongues 52 will first be collapsed and section will be telescoped within section 46, and as the movement continues the cam shaped end 57 of the rod 53 will engage and move the spring latch 58 from locking position so that the section 46 may be telescoped within the section 47.

To the inner end of the section 46 is secured a cam block 63 having an outwardly extending rib 64, to which is riveted or otherwise secured a collar 65 having pivot ears 66 for the attachment of the outer end of the stretcher, this collar being free to slide on the outer face of the section 47. The latch spring 58 previously referred to is confined between this cam block 63 and the inner wall of the section 46.

The inner section 48 is for the main part composed of two cross sectionally curved arms 70 and 71 (Fig. 9), which are united at the inner end by the pivot block 49, and at the outer end by an integral cross piece 72. To the inner end of the section 47 is riveted a slidable collar 76, open at one side and provided with flanges 77 that engage against the inner wall of the section 47 as shown in Fig. 10, thus forming a connection between the two sections 47, 48 of such nature as to permit longitudinal sliding movement but preventing any lateral play. To the section 47 is secured one end of a latch spring 78, that is arranged to enter an opening 79 formed in said section 47 and to engage against the shoulder 72 of section 48 in order to hold the parts in extended position.

During the collapsing of the rib, the wedge 63 will engage the spring latch 78 and withdraw. the latter to release position, after which the several sections may be collapsed to the position shown in Fig. 2.

The stretchers are each. formed of two sections 80, 81, the section 81 being provided with a pivot car at its outer end for connection to the pivot ear 66 of the rib. The inner end of the section 81 is provided with a tapered socket 82 for the reception of the tongues 83 which form the split end of the tubular section 80, and in said tubular section 80 isa slidable cam rod- 85 carrying an approximately frusto conical cam 86 that is arranged to engage and spread the tongues 83 within the tapered socket. The inner end of the cam rod projects beyond the inner end of the section 80 and is provided with an enlarged. head 87 that is engaged by a coiled compression spring 88 tending to hold the rod in locking position. The head 87 is arranged in such position that it may be en gaged by the flange 89 of a sleeve 90 mounted on the runner, as hereinafter described. Projecting from the inner end of thesection 80 is a pivot ear 92 that is connected to the outer end of the runner 28 in the usual manner.

The runner 28 is tubular in form, as usual, and being of greater diameter than the di ameter of the section 22 which it surrounds when the umbrella 1s raised, provisom 1S 7 made for forming a firm seat or support for the runner, and for this purpose the section 22 carries a fixed flange 93 having a seating shoulder 94 for the end of the runner, that face of the flange facing the runner being tapered in order that such runner may be guided to its seat.

Projecting from one side of the runner is a small casing 95, within which is arranged a spring actuated locking lever 96, having a pin 97 at one end and an operating knob 98 at the other. The pin is arranged to enter suitable locking openings formed in the stem near the inner and outer ends thereof in order to hold the runner in either position, and by depressing the knob 98, the runner may be readily released.

The sleeve 90 is mounted near the outer end of the runner, and is notched. as indicated at 100 in order to clear the casing 95. The sleeve is further provided With a bayonet slot 101 that receives a pin 102 projecting from the runner, and the flange 89 of the sleeve is arranged to engage all of the heads 87 of the stretcher cam rods 85, so that by pushing the sleeve 90 outward, or in the direction of the tip, all of the cam rods 85 may be simultaneously moved to release position, and then by turning the sleeve, the pin 102 may be entered in the transverse portion of the bayonet slot for the purpose of locking the sleeve and. thus holding all of the cam rods in release position to permit simultaneous collapse of the several stretchers.

The inner or handled end of the runner is provided with radially disposed slots 104 for the reception of the tip ends of the ribs and mounted. on the runner adjacent to this flange is a locking ring 105 having slots 106 of the character best shown in Fig. 19, these slots being provided with arcuate portions struck from the aXis of the runner, so that when the ring is turned after the entrance of the members 45 of the ribs, all of said ribs will be locked in closed position. After this has been accomplished, the ring may be forced in the direction of the umbrella tip, and in so doing said ring will engage with all of the projections 54 of the cam rods 53, and the cams will be simultaneously released, permitting simultaneous collapse or telescopic movement of all of the outer sections of the ribs, and the subsequent movement of the inner sections of said ribs, as previously described.

After the umbrella has been moved to closed position the sleeve 90 is moved forward and locked by pin 102 to force all of the cam rods 85 of the stretchers to release position. The rib sections 45 are then entered in the slots 104 and 106, the ring 105 being turned for the purpose, and then the ring is graspedv in one hand, and the tip section 20 of the handle in the other, the operator forcing the ring 105 in the direction of the tip, and at the same time pulling outward on the tip and turning the latter, this being readily accomplished by holding the handle section while the ring 105 is manipulated by the thumb and forefinger, The several rib and stretcher sections will be readily collapsed in the manner previously described, while the outward pull on the tip section and the handle will release the locking device between such tip section and the next adjacent section 21, and the twisting movement of the tip section is accomplished practically by the retractile force of the spring 42, so that the locking pin 40 will reenter the portion 35 of the slot, the several sections then thus unlocked. and collapsed in successive order.

The cover may be collapsed with the frame, or, if necessary, the cover may be of the detachable type and removed and folded either before or after the frame is collapsed.

The frame is made in sections of such length that an umbrella of ordinary size may be readily carried in the pocket when colla sed.

% claim 1. An umbrella frame including a telescopic stick, telescopic 'ribs and telescopic stretchers, the frame being arranged for extension and collapse when folded, one of the stick sections being connected to one section of each rib and serving to transmit movement from the stick to the ribs during both collapsing and extending operations, and one of the rib sections being connected to one of the stretcher sections and serving a like purpose, means for locking the sections of the ribs in extended position, locking rod in said stretcher sections, a runner, and a sleeve on said runner for engaging the heads of said locking rods and holding the same in release position, and means for holding the tips of all of the ribs during the extensile movement.

2. An umbrella stick formed of a series of telescopic sections, a spring carried by each of the sections and arranged to be placed under tensional strain during the latter portion of the extensile movement, and a lock ing pin held in locking position by said spring, there being a locking groove for the reception of such pin.

3. In a device of the class described, a stick formed of telescopic sections, a spring secured to the inner end of each of the intermediate sections and arranged to be placed under both tensional and torsional strain during the latter portion of the extensile movement, each section having at one end a pin and at the opposite end a groove, the pins andgrooves being held in looking position by the springs.

4. In a telescopic structure of the class described, a pair of tubular sections arranged in telescopic relation, the outermost section having a groove formed in its inner face and extending parallel with the axis of such sec tion, one end of the groove being of contracted width to form a pair of stop shoulders, and the end of the contracted portion being turned to form a terminal locking recess, a spring secured to the end of the innermost section, a block carried by the free end of the spring, and arranged to slide within the main groove, the limit of movement of the block being fixed by the shoulders, a pin projecting from the inner section and arranged to enter the contracted portion of the groove and the locking recess thereof after the spring has been subjected to both tensional and torsional strains, and a stop arranged at the opposite end of the main groove for limiting movement of the block during the collapsing of the sections.

5. A collapsible umbrella having members each formed of a plurality of telescopic sections, the end portion of one of the sections having a tapered socket, and the mating end of the adjacent section being split to form tongues that fit within such socket, a cam rod for spreading said tongues, and a spring tending to hold the cam rod in spreading position.

6. A collapsible umbrella having ribs each formed of a plurality of telescopic sections, the inner end of the outermost section being split to form tongues, a rod extending through the outermost section and having a terminal frusto-conical portion for spreading the tongues and being further provided with a cam face, a projection extending from the outer portion of the rod through the wall of such section, a spring tending to hold the rod in locking position, a latch spring forming a locking connection between the mating ends of adjacent ends of the rib, the cam face at the end of the rod being arranged to engage and move said latch to releasing position during the collapsing movement.

7. In an umbrella a stretcher comprising a pair of telescopic sections the inner end of the outermost section having a tapering socket, and the mating end of the innermost section being split to form tongues, a cam rod extending through the innermost section and provided with a tongue spreading cam at its outer end, the inner end of the cam rod having an enlarged head, a spring engaging the head and holding the cam rod in tongue spreading position, and means for simul-' taneously engaging and moving all of the heads to release said cams.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE M. PETERS.

Witnesses:v

E. HUME TALBERT, JNo. E. PARKER. 

